Public concern over law and order is mounting across Bangladesh, with Dhaka emerging as a major hotspot of violence where 107 murders were recorded in the first three months of the year, out of a nationwide total of 854 killings, police data show.
Reports of murders, extortion, mugging and robbery continue to rise across the country, while disturbing footage of violent incidents circulating on social media is further heightening public fear and anxiety.
Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir said operations against terrorists, extortionists, drug dealers and other criminals are ongoing through coordinated block raids, with updated lists of suspects already prepared.
“Strict action will be taken against identified criminals. Operations are continuing above political affiliations,” he said, adding that law enforcement agencies remain alert to counter extremism.
Responding to concerns over mob violence, he said police are working to suppress all forms of crime, including mob attacks.
Police statistics show that 854 murder cases were reported nationwide between January and March this year. Of these, 107 were recorded in Dhaka. In the capital alone, 16 murders were reported in the first 15 days of April.
On a monthly basis, Dhaka recorded 36 murders in January, 38 in February and 33 in March. Nationwide, the figures stood at 287 in January, 250 in February and 317 in March.
Analysts say the overall trend is fueling public anxiety and could risk broader social instability if not addressed. They stress that maintaining law and order must remain a core government priority.
Psychologists, meanwhile, warn that the rapid spread of graphic crime footage online is intensifying fear and insecurity. In some cases, they say, repeated exposure may also contribute to the normalization of violence.
“Such videos generate fear, distress and insecurity among viewers,” said Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed of Faridpur Medical College. “Repeated exposure can also normalize violence and, in some cases, increase criminal tendencies.” He called for stricter controls on the circulation of violent content, adding that preventive action before material goes viral is essential.
Recent violent incidents
A series of recent killings has added to public concern.
On Friday, a three-month-old infant was allegedly strangled to death in the Bordonbari area under Darussalam Police Station in Dhaka by her stepfather, Apuorba, according to police. On the same day in Pallabi, 68-year-old schoolteacher Firoza Khanam, also known as Josna, was reportedly beaten to death with a hammer.
Earlier on April 15, a young man, Asadul Haque, was stabbed to death in the Beribadh area of Mohammadpur. On April 12, Alex Imon was publicly hacked to death in the same area over a reported dispute linked to local dominance.
In a separate case, police arrested Rashedul Islam Rabbi, accused of raping at least 13 women in Mirpur and Jatrabari over the past two months through fraudulent “gift” traps.
Outside Dhaka, UPDF leader Dharmasingh Chakma was killed in Kutubchhari residential area of Rangamati, while his two sisters were also shot in the attack. In Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila, Pir Abdur Rahman Shamim was hacked and beaten to death at a shrine in Philippnagar.
